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Zion National Park: reservations, fees, camping and weather
Zion National Park, Utah: what you need to book, what it costs, and when the weather is mildest. Checked November 2026.
Do you need a reservation to enter?
No vehicle reservation to enter. Permits or reservations are needed for Angels Landing, wilderness trips and campgrounds.
Fees and passes
$35 per private vehicle, valid 1–7 days.
Non-US residents aged 16+ pay an extra $100 per person on top of the entrance fee, unless they have an annual or America the Beautiful pass.
An America the Beautiful pass covers entrance at every national park. US citizens and residents get free entry on national park fee-free days.
Camping: how to book
Campgrounds are reserved on Recreation.gov. Many Recreation.gov campgrounds open on a rolling window months ahead and sell out within minutes; if yours is full, set up a cancellation alert.
Campgrounds on Recreation.gov (3)
| Campground | Sites | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watchman Campground | 190 | Campground | Book ↗ |
| South Campground (UT) | 128 | Campground | Book ↗ |
| Lava Point Campground | 6 | Campground | Book ↗ |
From Recreation.gov's official data (RIDB), November 2026. Campgrounds run by park concessioners and some first-come sites aren't on Recreation.gov, so check the park's camping page too. When can I book?
Permits and lotteries
- Angels Landing: Seasonal lotteries plus a day-before lottery on Recreation.gov ($6 to apply, $3 per person if selected). Dates →
Official planning pages
The park's own pages for the things that change: conditions, closures, camping and permits.
Key dates
- Wed 11 Nov 2026 National parks fee-free day: Veterans Day Confirmed
- December 2026 · exact dates not announced 2027 national park fee-free days announced Expected
- February 2027 · exact dates not announced Angels Landing spring lottery (hikes Mar–May 2027) Expected
- 1 Apr – 20 Apr 2027 Angels Landing summer lottery (hikes Jun–Aug 2027) Expected
- 1 Jul – 20 Jul 2027 Angels Landing fall lottery (hikes Sep–Nov 2027) Expected
- 1 Oct – 20 Oct 2027 Angels Landing winter lottery (hikes Dec 2027–Feb 2028) Expected
Weather by month
| Month | Camping weather | Avg high | Avg low | Precip. | Snow | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good · 69 | 54°F | 30°F | 2.0 in | 0.7 in | 9 h 49 m |
| February | Great · 85 | 58°F | 34°F | 2.1 in | 0.8 in | 10 h 44 m |
| March | Great · 100 | 66°F | 39°F | 2.0 in | 0.7 in | 11 h 50 m |
| April | Great · 100 | 73°F | 44°F | 1.2 in | 0.0 in | 13 h 05 m |
| May | Great · 94 | 84°F | 52°F | 0.8 in | 0.0 in | 14 h 07 m |
| June | Fair · 47 | 95°F | 62°F | 0.2 in | 0.0 in | 14 h 40 m |
| July | Poor · 27 | 100°F | 70°F | 1.1 in | 0.0 in | 14 h 26 m |
| August | Poor · 36 | 98°F | 69°F | 1.6 in | 0.0 in | 13 h 33 m |
| September | Good · 65 | 91°F | 61°F | 1.2 in | 0.0 in | 12 h 20 m |
| October | Great · 100 | 78°F | 49°F | 1.2 in | 0.0 in | 11 h 08 m |
| November | Great · 100 | 64°F | 37°F | 1.2 in | 0.1 in | 10 h 05 m |
| December | Good · 63 | 52°F | 29°F | 1.6 in | 1.7 in | 9 h 34 m |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Zion NP, UT weather station (4,038 ft). Higher trails are colder; temperatures usually drop about 3–5°F per 1,000 ft. "Camping weather" is our simple score: best with highs of 62–82°F, nights above freezing and under 3 in of precipitation. It rates weather only, not road closures, snow on trails or crowds. Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th. About NOAA normals ↗
Questions
Do I need a reservation to enter Zion National Park?
No vehicle reservation to enter. Permits or reservations are needed for Angels Landing, wilderness trips and campgrounds.
How much does it cost to enter Zion?
$35 per private vehicle, valid 1–7 days. Non-US residents aged 16+ pay an extra $100 per person on top of the entrance fee, unless they have an annual or America the Beautiful pass.
When is the weather mildest at Zion?
Using NOAA averages at the park's weather station, average highs are between 60°F and 85°F in March to May, October to November. July is warmest (about 100°F) and December has the coldest nights (about 29°F).
Sources: Zion fees and passes (nps.gov), NOAA station data. Rules change; always check the official park site before you go.
Tell us where and when. A planner gets back to you within 24 hours with a day-by-day plan, the exact booking dates and links, and help booking. From $49.
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A heads-up before the big permit lotteries open (Half Dome, Mt Whitney, Angels Landing and more), free park days and seasonal permits. A few emails a season. Unsubscribe anytime.
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